Cuba warns of rising forest fire risk in early 2026

Cuba, already struggling with prolonged power outages, food shortages, epidemics and its worst economic crisis in decades, is now facing another looming threat: a sharp increase in forest fires expected during the first months of 2026.

Authorities have warned that current conditions — including a harsh drought season, deteriorated forest infrastructure and large amounts of combustible vegetation — could significantly worsen the fire season between January and May, particularly in the western province of Pinar del Río.

“The forecasts are not good,” state media reported this week, citing specialists who consider the first half of the year the period of greatest danger for forest fires in Cuba. According to estimates published by the state newspaper Granma, Pinar del Río could see between 85 and 112 forest fires during the peak danger period. Officials warn that damages in 2026 could reach as much as 4,000 hectares.

The province, which plays a key role in Cuba’s agricultural production and has extensive forest coverage, is facing a combination of low rainfall, poor conditions of forest roads and an accumulation of dry vegetation that increases fire risk.

Rubén Guerra Corrales, a member of the leadership of Cuba’s Forest Ranger Corps, said the province is expected to close 2025 with about 100 forest fires. Thirteen of those were classified as large or very large, burning more than 9,000 hectares.

Experts say most forest fires in Cuba are caused by human activity. In recent years, recurrent blazes have affected municipalities such as San Juan y Martínez, Mantua and Minas de Matahambre.

The Forest Ranger Corps says it relies on satellite monitoring systems and observation towers to detect fires, but the growing frequency and scale of blazes have strained resources, particularly as the country faces fuel shortages, transportation problems and limited access to equipment.

Pinar del Río has more than 411,000 hectares of forest, with trees covering nearly half of its territory, making it Cuba’s second most reforested province. Despite that, fires in the past two years have caused significant damage.

Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 24, 2025, the province reported 70 forest fires that affected more than 160 hectares of forest, according to a Forest Ranger Corps report cited by the EFE news agency.

The expected increase in forest fires adds yet another layer of strain to a country already grappling with infrastructure decay, environmental stress and a deepening economic collapse, raising concerns about Cuba’s ability to respond effectively if conditions continue to deteriorate in 2026.